The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has removed its former president, Abdulla Shahid, from the party's official National Council WhatsApp group while he remains in police custody over allegations of sexually abusing a minor.

Shahid's removal from the National Council group was confirmed today.

The former Foreign Minister and former President of the United Nations General Assembly was arrested on Monday night at his apartment in Hulhumalé, under a court order, over allegations of sexually abusing a child under the age of 18.

When he was presented before the court on Tuesday to determine his remand period, the court ordered that he be remanded in custody for 30 days.

Police also searched his residence at H. Rabee Manzil in Malé on Thursday night.

Shahid's detention order was appealed at the High Court on Thursday. However, the High Court has yet to make a decision on whether to accept the appeal.

Before his arrest, Shahid had announced his intention to contest the MDP's upcoming presidential primary.

In a post on X published before his arrest, Shahid described the allegations circulating against him as politically motivated fabrications intended to damage his personal reputation. He also called on people not to spread claims that he said had no factual basis.